Readers demand that ex-felon pay debt, even if it costs him vote | The Buzz

More than five million Florida voters supported Amendment 4 last fall that restored voting rights to most convicted felons, and some of those voters have very strong views about a new law that requires full payment of court-related costs before felons can vote.

The new law is under attack by the ACLU and other groups in federal court in Tallahassee, where the lead plaintiff is Jeff Gruver, 33, of Gainesville, who was convicted of cocaine possession in 2008. A director of a homeless shelter who’s studying for a master’s degree in social work, Gruver stole money from his mother to feed his drug habit. He said he has repaid her about $17,000, but still owes $801. Under a law passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (SB 7066), he must pay that debt to keep voting, after registering in February. We told you Gruver’s story in a column.

On the ballot, Amendment 4 said the right to vote required completion of “all terms of sentence including parole or probation.” The Legislature defined that to include all court-ordered fees, fines and victim restitution, citing the fact that Amendment 4 legal experts told the Florida Supreme Court that fees should be included. Critics, led by Democratic legislators, call it a “poll tax.” It has created a firestorm of controversy and will be tied up in court for months.

The strong reaction from readers reflects the deeply-held opinions on Amendment 4. Some readers didn’t buy Gruver’s story that, even with a full-time job, he can’t pay the debt. Gruver is married, rents an apartment and said he and his wife live paycheck-to-paycheck.

“As for me and my family, we voted yes for Amendment 4, but my family all agreed that in our eyes the completion of a sentence included making the victim whole,” wrote Nick Tacquard of Plantation. “Government should stand behind the victim, not behind the criminal.”

Judy Roberts of Hollywood had a different view: “How many times have Republican legislators undermined or ignored the will of the majority of their constituents?” she asked.

Lee White of Mount Dora cited the “all terms of sentence” language and asked, "What part of all don’t bleeding heart liberals understand?' He suggested that the ACLU pay off Gruver’s debt.

Beth Hall of Winter Park said she and her husband voted for Amendment 4, and “we definitely do mean for the $801 owed to stand in the way of casting a ballot.”

Weston attorney David Rash was so moved by Gruver’s story that he offered to help him pay the $801 so he can keep voting. “(He) has amazingly come back from a very tough and deep hole in life. I think he should be helped without further judgment because he has earned it,” Rash said.